I have a lot of favorite books, so I'm just going to talk about a couple I've read recently. Whoever reads this- I implore you to check these out. Well, some of them.
I'll start with Christmas break. I first read The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot. It was amazing! I loved, loved, loved it! I could really relate to the main character- Maggie Tulliver. Maggie was a truly human character who made mistakes and had to live with them. A large part of it is the relationship between Maggie and her brother Tom, and how their decisions affect how they treat one another. As someone with an older brother, it cast a new light on our relationship and how easily we could misunderstand eachother. And George Eliot expounded on issues and themes that I really felt were pertinent even to modern life for me. Anyway, it was fantastic. Five stars.
After TMOTF, I read Suite Française by Irene Nemirovsky. Equally amazing, but very different. Completely different. The style of writing was more abrupt, but dove into the depths of more characters in less time. It's about the aftershock of the German occupation in France. Irene Nemirovsly died in the horrors of WWII, and after reading this, well I got more of an idea of the talent that was tragically lost because of what happened during that time.
As far as "Young adult" literature goes, I either love it or hate it. Two years ago, I read A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels by Libba Bray. They were pretty good. So I naturally wen out to ge the third of the trilogy The Sweet Far Thing. These books are a little bit of a guilty pleasure for me. They're quick reads that don't take a lot of focus, but they're a nice break from life. If you're a girl who loves historical fiction as I do, I highly recomment these.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Poetry
At Castle Wood
by Emily Bronte
The day is done, the winter sun
Is setting in its sullen sky;
And drear the course that has been run,
And dim the hearts that slowly die.
No star will light my coming night;
No morn of hope for me will shine;
I mourn not heaven would blast my sight,
And I ne'er longed for joys divine.
Through life's hard task I did not ask
Celestial aid, celestial cheer;
I saw my fate without its mask,
And met it too without a tear.
The grief that pressed my aching breast
Was heavier far than earth can be;
And who would dread eternal rest
When labour's hour was agony?
Dark falls the fear of this despair
On spirits born of happiness;
But I was bred the mate of care,
The foster-child of sore distress.
No sighs for me, no sympathy,
No wish to keep my soul below;
The heart is dead in infancy,
Unwept-for let the body go.
2. I wrote a paper on the poetry of Emily Bronte in 9th grade, and I really liked it. I haven't had any of the truly unhappy expreiences she had to cause her to write her more melancholy poems, but I still like the sad ones the best. I share a morbid streak with Emily Bronte. I also have a mild obsession with the Brontes in general.
3. The title, At Castle Wood, must be a place where Emily Bronte has known sadness. The only other thought that occurred to me was that it was the name of a cemetery.
4. I love the use of internal rhyme in this poem- it makes it seem hurried and desperate. The narrrator of the poem know that her end is coming, and is calm about it, but still feels hurried. This occurs in lines like "Through life's hard task I did not ask" (line 9) "The grief that pressed my aching breast" (line 13). Bronte also uses consonance a lot in this poem with the "s" sound. This created a tone of hurriedness and the end of the narrators life.
5. The tone of the poem is melancholy and lonely. She uses the post heart-wrenching phrases such as "foster-child of sore distress". This just evokes a feeling of utter loneliness. She uses the metaphor of the end of life to both winter and the end of the day. Winter is bare, with no feeling or cushioning happiness. All in all, it's depressing but also very independent. She is unsympathetic even towards herself, and although she uses phrases that are emotional, they aren't self pitying.
by Emily Bronte
The day is done, the winter sun
Is setting in its sullen sky;
And drear the course that has been run,
And dim the hearts that slowly die.
No star will light my coming night;
No morn of hope for me will shine;
I mourn not heaven would blast my sight,
And I ne'er longed for joys divine.
Through life's hard task I did not ask
Celestial aid, celestial cheer;
I saw my fate without its mask,
And met it too without a tear.
The grief that pressed my aching breast
Was heavier far than earth can be;
And who would dread eternal rest
When labour's hour was agony?
Dark falls the fear of this despair
On spirits born of happiness;
But I was bred the mate of care,
The foster-child of sore distress.
No sighs for me, no sympathy,
No wish to keep my soul below;
The heart is dead in infancy,
Unwept-for let the body go.
2. I wrote a paper on the poetry of Emily Bronte in 9th grade, and I really liked it. I haven't had any of the truly unhappy expreiences she had to cause her to write her more melancholy poems, but I still like the sad ones the best. I share a morbid streak with Emily Bronte. I also have a mild obsession with the Brontes in general.
3. The title, At Castle Wood, must be a place where Emily Bronte has known sadness. The only other thought that occurred to me was that it was the name of a cemetery.
4. I love the use of internal rhyme in this poem- it makes it seem hurried and desperate. The narrrator of the poem know that her end is coming, and is calm about it, but still feels hurried. This occurs in lines like "Through life's hard task I did not ask" (line 9) "The grief that pressed my aching breast" (line 13). Bronte also uses consonance a lot in this poem with the "s" sound. This created a tone of hurriedness and the end of the narrators life.
5. The tone of the poem is melancholy and lonely. She uses the post heart-wrenching phrases such as "foster-child of sore distress". This just evokes a feeling of utter loneliness. She uses the metaphor of the end of life to both winter and the end of the day. Winter is bare, with no feeling or cushioning happiness. All in all, it's depressing but also very independent. She is unsympathetic even towards herself, and although she uses phrases that are emotional, they aren't self pitying.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Yet Another Post
2. I love to read pretty much any writing. My favorite books are classic novels, but I also enjoy some contemporary works, especially historical fiction. I like poetry a lot, but I tend to seek out books rather than poetry. I enjoy reading poetry a lot, and I should look to read it more.
I would love to one day write a major work. It's one of my major goals in life. For now, I like to write short stories, but soon I think I'm going to try to write a much longer work. I wish I wrote more outside of school, but it's hard to find time. This is shy I signed up for creative writing- I wanted to take the time to practice and improve and motivate myself to write more.
Since the sixth grade, I've been rather enamoured with the early 19th century. It's a disease that comes from reading Pride and Prejudice a couple too many times. I've moved on a little, but I still find it very interesting. I find many things fascinating. Grammer, for one. I love grammar. I'm known to correct all my friends' grammer constantly. The rules and exceptions are so cool! I've done Mock Trial for the past two yers. I love that activity, too. It's full of passion and knowledge at the same time. I just love it!
3. Oreos- The very lame poem
Milk's favorite cookie,
But I don't like them with milk.
The chocolate cookie's crunchy,
And the cream as soft as silk.
I would love to one day write a major work. It's one of my major goals in life. For now, I like to write short stories, but soon I think I'm going to try to write a much longer work. I wish I wrote more outside of school, but it's hard to find time. This is shy I signed up for creative writing- I wanted to take the time to practice and improve and motivate myself to write more.
Since the sixth grade, I've been rather enamoured with the early 19th century. It's a disease that comes from reading Pride and Prejudice a couple too many times. I've moved on a little, but I still find it very interesting. I find many things fascinating. Grammer, for one. I love grammar. I'm known to correct all my friends' grammer constantly. The rules and exceptions are so cool! I've done Mock Trial for the past two yers. I love that activity, too. It's full of passion and knowledge at the same time. I just love it!
3. Oreos- The very lame poem
Milk's favorite cookie,
But I don't like them with milk.
The chocolate cookie's crunchy,
And the cream as soft as silk.
Monday, February 25, 2008
I can't write a play.......................
1. Writing this play was surprisingly hard. I had to write a 20 page play in 7th grade for a writing extra-curricular I was in, and this paly was so much harder. Part of that was trying to create an idea for a play that was limited in length. It's hard for me to pick something to write about that's only 5-7 pages. I was also having trouble making it stage appropriate. I wanted about fifty different places and a hundred characters. I really prefer writing stories rather than plays because I feel character development is more in my hands. In plays, movie and T.V. shows, the character is really in the hands of the actor who plays the character. I like talking about internal emotions and thoughts too much.
2. If I was talking to a five year old about to start their serious educational journey, I would tell them that it matters. School matters. You have to be able to let go of the little things, but the big picture is very important. It's important to make your school environment as positive as possible. This includes choosing the right friends. Friends who don't pressure you to do things you don't want to do. Friends with similar interests, but varying personalities and backgrounds. Humor is important, but kindness is more important. Always try your best. One year of school affects the next, which affects the next, which will eventually affect your highschool career.
3. Personally, I like old books much better than new ones. Don't get me wrong, there are amazing books coming out right now, but it's easier to know that a book is good if it's old. That's why it's been around so long. I was watching a very funny 1970's BBC version of Persuasion, by Jane Austen this weekend. I had forgotten how great the story was. Even though the plot is very specific to Anne Elliot, there are aspects of her personality that everyone can identify with. And if it's not Anne, it's another character. People find themselves in, and relate to, and are emotionally stimulated by these characters. That's what makes a book last such a long time. I would love to write something that lasts through time. Even though fashions change, and so do customs and sayings, the fundamentals of society and themes from our life stay the same.
2. If I was talking to a five year old about to start their serious educational journey, I would tell them that it matters. School matters. You have to be able to let go of the little things, but the big picture is very important. It's important to make your school environment as positive as possible. This includes choosing the right friends. Friends who don't pressure you to do things you don't want to do. Friends with similar interests, but varying personalities and backgrounds. Humor is important, but kindness is more important. Always try your best. One year of school affects the next, which affects the next, which will eventually affect your highschool career.
3. Personally, I like old books much better than new ones. Don't get me wrong, there are amazing books coming out right now, but it's easier to know that a book is good if it's old. That's why it's been around so long. I was watching a very funny 1970's BBC version of Persuasion, by Jane Austen this weekend. I had forgotten how great the story was. Even though the plot is very specific to Anne Elliot, there are aspects of her personality that everyone can identify with. And if it's not Anne, it's another character. People find themselves in, and relate to, and are emotionally stimulated by these characters. That's what makes a book last such a long time. I would love to write something that lasts through time. Even though fashions change, and so do customs and sayings, the fundamentals of society and themes from our life stay the same.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Drama Queen!
1. I think theme is exceptionally important. I think the most important aspect of any work of literature, be it visual or otherwise, is the characters. Although I suppose it is through the characters that a theme is explored. The theme is what gives people pause after they read a work. What did it mean to them? Did it express the idea that rebellion is the key to making progress? Other than for strict enjoyment, books are meant to express emotions and ideas about life, and teach us about lifestyles and life paths that may be completely different or shockingly similar to ours. An example of this is The Jungle. First of all, I'm not a socialist. I like capitalism just fine. But that doesn't mean the powerful themes didn't affect me. It's extremely difficult to work and work and work for your family without feeling selfish longings. Even though I don't have to work in completely awful cnditions in the meatpacking business in Chicago in 1906, the themes still resonate. I didn't realate to the plot at all, but I did realte to the themes.
2. One theme that is very interesting to explore is learning to let go of one's past. This can be either letting go of a person who you were involved with, letting go of a previous lifestyle, previous fame or fortun, or even being able to forgive yourself for your past. I think this is one of the most difficult lessons to learn. It is a very hard lesson to communicate, especially through a shot play, but it is easy to approach for many many characters. This is completely different from the thing I'm concerned about from my first post, but I don't particularly feel like writing about pretend stupidity.
3.Probably one of the oldest conflicts in the history of the world is family conflict. Especially sibling rivalry. It's as old as Cain and Able. And its something most people can relate to. Even if your reader/viewer is an only child, they know the stereotype of siblng rivalry. Family conflict or rebelling against your famly is a conflict that can be approached in so many different ways, ages of the characters etc. It can be connected to many themes, so every story can be different.
2. One theme that is very interesting to explore is learning to let go of one's past. This can be either letting go of a person who you were involved with, letting go of a previous lifestyle, previous fame or fortun, or even being able to forgive yourself for your past. I think this is one of the most difficult lessons to learn. It is a very hard lesson to communicate, especially through a shot play, but it is easy to approach for many many characters. This is completely different from the thing I'm concerned about from my first post, but I don't particularly feel like writing about pretend stupidity.
3.Probably one of the oldest conflicts in the history of the world is family conflict. Especially sibling rivalry. It's as old as Cain and Able. And its something most people can relate to. Even if your reader/viewer is an only child, they know the stereotype of siblng rivalry. Family conflict or rebelling against your famly is a conflict that can be approached in so many different ways, ages of the characters etc. It can be connected to many themes, so every story can be different.
Friday, February 1, 2008
First question!
1. Reading is absolutely crucial to every writer. It gives a person a basis of what kind of stories one can create. There are many, many different genres of book, and its important to be able to recognize the differences between them. Reading gives a person a sense of what's out there, what's accepted etc. Reading stretched the imagination, and gives people the scope of an imagined world, anything from Hogwarts to revolutionary France. It improves knowledge, that of vocabulary, story structure etc. etc. Taking notes, taking a class or even just wrtining a lot just don't compate to the benefits of picking up a book with any sort of literary value.
2. Being completely honest, a lot of things concern me. But the one thing that a person in highschool can see a lot of is, on the huge scale of things, comparatively minor. But that doesn't mean it's not important. This is people, especially young women who play dumb. They do it because they think boys will like them better because of it. I don't believe this to be true, and even if it is, the boys who want to date someone stupis are NOT worth a girl's time. And these are only short term. In the lon run, it is not worth pretending to be done and doing poorly on a test simply to gain a boy's affections. This simply hurts grades, teacher respect and can lead to other negative occurances.
3. I love to read. So naturally, I get inspired by works of literature. I must also confess that I am enamoured with early to mid eighteenth century Enghish literature. The Brontes, Jane Austen, etc. are just fantastic. For me, both Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice have provided a contrast that is important when trying to write something of substance. Pride and Prejudice is a very witty satire of the society in which Jane Austen lived. It is at the same time sarcastic and terribly romantic. On the complete other hand, Jane Eyre is a gothic romance, full of mystery. This lovely book inspires me because everytime I read it I notice something new. The first time, it was all about Jane and Mr. Rochester. THe second time, it was Jane's childhood- her lonliness and how that comes to affect her. The third time, it was about Jane's spirituality and faith. It's just an amazing story.
2. Being completely honest, a lot of things concern me. But the one thing that a person in highschool can see a lot of is, on the huge scale of things, comparatively minor. But that doesn't mean it's not important. This is people, especially young women who play dumb. They do it because they think boys will like them better because of it. I don't believe this to be true, and even if it is, the boys who want to date someone stupis are NOT worth a girl's time. And these are only short term. In the lon run, it is not worth pretending to be done and doing poorly on a test simply to gain a boy's affections. This simply hurts grades, teacher respect and can lead to other negative occurances.
3. I love to read. So naturally, I get inspired by works of literature. I must also confess that I am enamoured with early to mid eighteenth century Enghish literature. The Brontes, Jane Austen, etc. are just fantastic. For me, both Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice have provided a contrast that is important when trying to write something of substance. Pride and Prejudice is a very witty satire of the society in which Jane Austen lived. It is at the same time sarcastic and terribly romantic. On the complete other hand, Jane Eyre is a gothic romance, full of mystery. This lovely book inspires me because everytime I read it I notice something new. The first time, it was all about Jane and Mr. Rochester. THe second time, it was Jane's childhood- her lonliness and how that comes to affect her. The third time, it was about Jane's spirituality and faith. It's just an amazing story.
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